Ilocos Norte: The province of Ilocos Norte on Monday honored a 24-year-old resident who graduated from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) as a scholar with "outstanding achievements." Second Lieutenant Charles Javier Juan Calapini Jr. earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science from the prestigious US military service academy last year.

According to Philippines News Agency, provincial board member Saul Paulo Lazo commended Calapini by passing an unnumbered, two-page resolution on Monday. The resolution, signed and approved by Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, praised the Burgos town native for receiving numerous awards while studying at the Colorado Springs academy.

Calapini's awards included the People's Choice Award 2024 during the Jean Bartik Computing Symposium at the United States Naval Academy, first runner-up on a project during USAFA Spark Tank 2024, and first runner-up at the Capture the Flag competition during the Rocky Mountain Cyber Space Symposium 2023.

"This is not just a personal milestone for me but also an embodiment of the Ilocano spirit," Calapini told the Philippine News Agency on Monday. He emphasized the importance of the values exemplified by Ilocano heroes, such as General Artemio Ricarte from Batac, Ilocos Norte. Ricarte is regarded as the Father of the Philippine Army and was the first Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Calapini is the only son of Regional Trial Court Judge Charles Javier Calapini and Melanie Calapini, a medical technologist. He was a dean's lister at the Philippine Military Academy and was one of just two individuals who qualified under the Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institution program for USAFA in 2019. Judge Calapini expressed his support for his son's career path and gratitude to the provincial board for honoring him.